I am starting with 10 or so frequently asked questions about electronic cigarettes, and will add to it later.

There is no doubt, that the electronic cigarette is rising in popularity very fast around the world, as more smokers become aware of this healthier smoking alternative. Now, for the first time, an alternate nicotine delivery system is available that closely simulates the real cigarette smoking experience.

Many people believe this will lead to countless smoker’s lives being saved. Who am I to argue. I am one of them. The e-cig is looking very promising, at this point, and is revolutionizing the way many people handle their nicotine addiction… permanently.

However, because it’s a relatively new set of devices that are just coming into public awareness, there is a whole lot of misinformation surrounding the electronic cigarette industry as a whole. People saying ignorant things like “they contain anti freeze” is a good example. They don’t.

Is it safe?

Is there a danger of more kids getting addicted to nicotine?

Can it help you quit smoking?

These are all sensible questions that really need to be addressed in order for you to make an intelligent, informed decision, whether this is something you, or someone you love, could benefit from. There is a lot of data and information out now days, so it is worth the time to check it out.

The following is a list of some FAQ’s about the electronic cigarette, and vaping:

1. How close to the real thing is it? Very similar. Enough to satisfy many of the most hardcore smokers. There are many reports of smokers with 1-2 pack a day habits completely switching over to e-cigarettes permanently. I am just one of them. The vapor tastes, feels and looks a lot like tobacco smoke. It delivers that instant nicotine satisfaction that smokers crave. To be fair, it tastes a lot better than a real cigarette, and you can get flavors to suite you.

2. Is it really safe? Tobacco smoke definately has over 4,000 toxic chemicals. Electronic cigarette vapor has none of these because there is no actual smoke involved. Smoke is the real health hazard. E-cigarettes deliver nicotine by inhaling a vaporized water/nicotine solution without having to worry about tar, carbon monoxide, etc.

A report by the Royal College of Physicians, states that nicotine by itself has not been proven to cause any long term ill health effects. Electronic cigarette vapor has about 20 ingredients (including nicotine) all of which are considered safe as long as the proper instructions are followed.

3. Can it help me quit smoking?Electronic cigarettes are NOT marketed as smoking cessation devices. They are meant to be used by smokers who are seeking an alternative, that can be used anywhere. That being said, common sense dictates that it definitely has potential to be an integral part of a sensible stop-smoking program (similar to how nicotine gum and patches are used). With an e-cig, you can choose to lower your nicotine level as you wish. It is up to you, if you want to use it to help you quit smoking tobacco cigarettes.

4. Is it approved by the FDA? The e-cigarette is a nicotine delivery device, and doesn’t fall under the jurisdiction of the FDA right now. However, studies are being done to decide how, or if, it will be regulated in the future. I am sure it will be in some way or another.

5. Why are certain groups so opposed to it? This is a complicated question, and the answer even more so. Certain groups may have the public’s best interests in mind, and just want more clinical studies to be done. Others have a big financial interest in trying to figure out the best way to capitalize on what is probably going to be a billion dollar industry soon. Others feel that their will should be imposed on everyone else. Yes, there are plenty of groups that feel that way… it is sad, but true.

6. Can it be used anywhere? Technically, yes. There is no burning tobacco, and no second hand smoke is produced. Although it is totally acceptable in most public places, there are certain areas like restaurants that may not like the appearance of it, because they do not want to offend other customers that do not understand what it is. In these cases simply check with the staff first. I vape in my home, but for many years, I had to go outside to smoke, because I did not want my house being ruined by the smoke settling on the paint, or in my cloths in the closet. E cigs do not do that, so I can freely vape indoors. It was sure nicer in the winter time.

7. Does the electronic cigarette market target kids?Absolutely not! There is a lot of misinformation regarding this topic floating around out there. Some anti e-cig groups are claiming that just because there is a variety of flavors like fruit, vanilla, chocolate, etc. are available, that this is going to appeal to kids. That’s like saying because nicotine gum comes in a variety of flavors like mint or fruit it’s catering to a younger crowd. Adults enjoy a wide variety of flavor choices too! The bottom line is the initial cost for an electronic cigarette starter kit (usually around $100 or so) is not really practical for most kids. The target market is adult smokers looking for a healthier alternative to smoking choice.

8. What is the best e-cigarette? That is a great question asked by so many. However, it is a hard one for anyone but you to answer. This is where you need to use a bit of discrimination, and test out several types in person. There have been a number of cheap models coming out of China that are wrought with mechanical problems. Luckily there are a handful of high-quality USA and China manufacturers out there. A little bit of research will help you decide on which one you prefer. Just remember that sometimes it’s worth spending a few more dollars to ensure you get a high quality vaping device that is capable of giving you an enjoyable, and problem-free vaping experience.

9. How much does it cost? A quality starter kit (including rechargeable battery, charger and 5 nicotine cartridges) will run you around $100 – $150. A package of 5 cartridges will run you around $5- $15. One cartridge is about the same as 1 – 1.5 packs of traditional tobacco cigarettes. If you do the math, it is much less expensive to vape. That’s the equivalent of paying around $1.0 – $3 per pack of cigarettes. The price varies quite a bit, depending on where the e-liquid comes from.

10. Where can I buy one? Because they are still fairly new in the USA, not many stores are carrying them yet. Many gas stations carry the disposable singles for you to try out. However,the best deals can be found online. Go to my electronic cigarette shop to check out some of the best electronic cigarettes available today. Or, if you are lucky enough to have an electronic cigarette (vapors supply) store in your area, stop in and get some real first hand information, and great support in making the right choice for you.

11. Why do people call themselves vapors or that they are vaping? Great question. The reason is because you do not smoke ecigs. You inhale vapors. Most people that call it vaping is because you are doing just that… it is not easy to get used to, but it is the accepted term for using an electronic cigarette. If you vape, your a vapor.

12. There are so many places to choose from online how do I know which one is best. Again, this comes down to personal choice. One store will carry one thing you like and another will have better pricing on something else. Read forums too. Not all e-liquids of the same flavor, taste the same from one store to another. Product reviews are very important and useful tools. Use them, and you will be glad you did.

Are you ready to buy an electronic cigarette, or perhaps just looking for info about them?

Good news: They are definitely a healthier and cleaner, and safer alternative to conventional cigarettes or cigars. Let me help you with making a smart choice that works for you.

Where do you start? There are so many different kinds to choose from…

Here is my list of some of the more popular types of e-cigarettes and the pros and cons of each:

1. Standard E-Cigarette. This is just a little bigger than a normal cigarette but looks very similar. Blu is an example.

pros: It is the most similar to a tobacco cigarette in size and feel. The battery life is pretty decent, and it produces a nice vapor.
Cons: The cartridge size is a bit smaller than some other types, so you may have to replace or refill it more often. Most manufacturers tell you to replace the cartomizers with a new pack. However, they can be refilled for a great price savings. But remember, they are disposable cartos, so they can only be refilled a few times before replacing.

2. The Mini E-Cigarette is a bit longer than the Super, and basically the same diameter. However, the main difference is the mouthpiece which is tapered.

Strength: Decent vapor and battery life. The battery is larger so it will hold a charge for a longer time.
Weakness: A lot of people are saying it has an odd shape/feel and seems more like a small cigar rather than a conventional cigarette. Usually they are cheaply made and intended to be tossed when finished with them.

3. The Joey EGO type e-cig is one of the most popular models out there now days.

Pros: Can find at any E-Cig store, or website. Batteries that can last all day. Capable of using many, many different types of atomizers, cartomizers and tanks, to hold more e liquid, so you don’t have to refill so often. Customizable to get just the vape your looking for.
Cons: They are much larger than a real cigarette, so keeping them in your shirt pocket is not as simple. They are heavier. Bulky, and long.

Pros: You can find them at most gas stations now days. Great way to see if you like vaping without a huge investment. Usually costs less than a pack of traditional tobacco cigarettes.
Cons: Can get expensive and may seem a bit wasteful. Since you get these in 1 or 2 packs, the cost is higher per ecig.

The Joey Ego, E-Cigarette type is my personal favorite right now. I have the battery size to last me all day, a spare battery, just in case, and I use a vivi nova tank with replaceable atomizers so I can get the vapor and flavor that I enjoy the most. I have however been thinking about getting a larger variable voltage model to produce more vapor as I keep lowering my nicotine percentage in my smoke juices.

Now, don’t rush out and buy an electronic cigarette yet!

Not all e-cigarettes are created equal… as a matter of fact many of the early designs are prone to mechanical failure. The most common complaint is that the atomizers get clogged, or the wicks get burned. When this happens the vapor quality and volume is greatly reduced. Another problem is short battery life. Now days, there are batteries out that will last most people 2 or 3 days between charging. However, these go in what is called a mod, and they usually are very costly, so not the way most people start vaping.

The best way to avoid these problems is to educate yourself on the best models and brands. Unfortunately the majority of manufacturers are producing cheaply made inferior products. The good news is that there are a handful of reputable companies with top of the line electronic cigarettes that will give you a realistic smoking experience without all the headaches. If you are looking for 100% USA made products, you can find them too. In fact, I will make sure to put up a page in the near future, with info to US manufacturers of smoke juice/e-liquid, and products, so you can find them.

If you would like more information on where you can buy one of the best electronic cigarettes available on the market, stop by a local electronic cigarette, or vapors store in person. Most are more than happy to spend all the time you need, to help you make the right choice for you, your budget, and your goals. Or, if you know what you want, you can go to my shop pages, to see many different kinds sold on Amazon.com. Yes, I get a small commission, but that will help me keep this site on line and keep putting out more information.

Oh, and you would have my eternal gratitude for helping me help others.

I have been asked about the true safety of these electronic cigarettes. Click on the links above in the scientific category, and I am posting actual test findings there. You can see the data for yourself. I am no doctor – I leave the tests to the people that are educated in doing such things, but I can look at their findings and see clearly, that although this may not be 100% safe, it is a lot safer alternative than smoking regular cigarettes.

The Blu electronic cigarette is quickly becoming a favorite among some new “vaping” enthusiasts. It has some distinct design differences that give the user the most realistic and satisfying smoking experience, and without the hassles typically associated with traditional cigarettes. You are now seeing television commercials with them, as a great alternative to tobacco cigarettes.

Most companies are selling electronic cigarettes in a 3-piece design:

1. Battery
2. Atomizer
3. Nicotine cartridge

The Blu E-cig design consists of only 2 pieces:

1. Battery
2. Atomizer & cartridge combined, called a cartomizer.

Why does this make such a big difference?

With many of the 3-piece design electronic cigarettes, the atomizer gets used over and over. This can lead to a dirty, clogged atomizer that becomes much less efficient over time. A clean atomizer is essential for getting maximum vapor volume, and flavor satisfaction. The more quality vapor you get with each draw is very important for a satisfying and realistic “vaping” experience. The reusable atomizer found in 3-piece designs need to be replaced or cleaned frequently. This will cost you in time or money – a hidden cost not mentioned in most the sales materials. They are pretty easy to clean, but you will need some spares for when they are being cleaned.

The 2-piece design as found in the Blu e-cig, and other cartomizer models, eliminates the problems associated with the reusable atomizer. Because the atomizer is built into the nicotine cartridge, you get a fresh atomizer every time you change cartridges (one cartridge is about the equivalent of 20-30 tobacco cigarettes). This is why a lot of people choose the Blu e-cig. Great vapor, and full flavor.

It’s very common for many people to initially try a 3-piece design only to be disappointed. They are not taught how to actually use and take care of their e-cig device when they buy it. These are the same people that go on to say electronic smoking doesn’t work well. It’s worth it to spend a few extra dollars and get a 2 piece, or 3 piece design that you will actually be happy with. Buy a sampler kit if you are new, and find the one that is right for you.

Not all e-cigarettes are created equal. It’s important to educate yourself on the differences so you don’t end up going through a lot of unnecessary (and expensive) trial and error. The electronic cigarette is being redesigned constantly by the manufacturers to come up with better and better models. Blu electronic cigarettes offers a technologically advanced device that will give you the most realistic and satisfying smoking experience in the industry. The highest smoke volume, convenience of use, reliability, cleanliness and an extended battery life all add up to make Blu a wise electronic cigarette choice. They have no smell, no ash, and no tobacco smoke, but do have what you enjoy about sm0king a cigarette. They are a little on the pricy side for what you get, but with that, you get the simplicity of just buying them and vaping. No refilling or cleaning to worry about.

Another thing that makes Blu a great electronic cigarette to choose, is that the e-cig, and e-liquid are all made in the USA. That is a rare thing to find at this price level, or any other. Most are made in China, and well, I don’t know about you, but I would prefer my smoke juice to be made in the USA. It just makes me feel safer, knowing that everything in it, is following a high standard for my safety.

Your best bet, is to find an e-cig retailer in your area, and go in for a personal visit. They will be able to help you find the correct model for you. It is great to have that hands on information, and ability to sample different types before making the purchase. If there is not one in your area, you may consider looking at them from my site. I have links to blu, and other products, in my store pages for you.

If you are serious about vaping, you will want a more robust personal vaporizer, or electronic cigarette. But these blu e-cig models are great to get you started, and see if you enjoy it before spending too much money. It is the way most of us start into vaping, and then later move on to larger batteries, like the ego, or ego-twist, and on into mods for a much larger variable voltage vaping use. I will explain those in another post.

Your new electronic cigarette is not a complicated device but with anything new there is always going to be a bit of a learning curve. Here are some tips on the best way to maximize your electronic smoking or vaping experience so you can save both time and money.

Tips for new e-cig users: First, we are vapors, because we vape. There is no smoke with e-cigs!

1. Depending on the type of e-cig you are using, you will want to get some spare cartomizers, clearomizers, batteries, and possibly atomizers. These are the few things that are most likely to need replacing, or something you will need a spare of when your charging your battery, or cleaning your clearomizers. A word of caution though: It’s a good idea to make sure you like your particular electronic cigarette model first, before buying all the extras. Once you know for sure you’re satisfied with it, get the extra hardware… you’ll definitely get good use out of them!

If you are like me, you will start trying more flavors and will want several cartomizers so you have one for each flavor your using that day.

2. Get a car charger, and a USB pass through. These will allow you to “vape” while driving or at your computer without the need to drain your batteries. Again, make sure you’re satisfied with your model before buying the extras.

3. Start off with a lower nicotine dose. Electronic cigarette cartridges typically come in several different doses: High, medium, low and none. When you first get your e-cigarette you’re going to want to be experimenting with it a lot, trying new flavors, etc. If you’re not careful you’ll end up absorbing more nicotine than you’re used to… and possibly increasing your addiction to it. Start off low and increase your dose after the novelty wears off if you feel like it.

4. Take long, slow puffs. A long, slow, puff will give you the most vapor volume. Short, hard puffs will tend to flood the atomizer causing reduced vapor production (you may even get liquid in your mouth). Trust me, that tastes terrible!

5. Switch atomizers frequently. Atomizers tend to get clogged easily and when this happens the vapor volume is greatly reduced. Switch out your atomizer daily for best performance and be sure to clean them frequently. (This tip only applies to three-part ecigs where the atomizer is a separate unit. Some two-piece models have a built in atomizer in each individual cartridge). With some of the “cartomizers”, and clearomizers, you can boil them to clean them.

I will re-write this page from time to time, as I come up with more helpful tips to help you get started. Follow these tips and you will have a head start on being able to fully enjoy your new electronic cigarette. If you’re unsure about something, or want to hear what others have to say, be sure to check out some of the e-cigarette forums online. These can be an excellent resource for answering nearly any question you can think of.

Electronic cigarettes, the FDA talking about anti-freeze and teenagers using e-cigs… how are these four connected?

Apparently the FDA found small traces of diethylene glycol, an ingredient used in antifreeze, in one sample of the electronic cigarette solutions they analyzed. It was not present in any others. FYI: That sample was made in China. The FDA did not include any USA made e-liquids in the test. They are also concerned that teenagers will get addicted to electronic cigarettes. How serious are these issues, really?

Are e-cigarettes harmful devices that should be banned?

Lets get the facts straight right now, and put all this information into its proper perspective.

Things taken out of context can mean anything you want them to mean. You should demand all the facts, not just the parts they want to mention.

Diethylene glycol may be a toxic ingredient but exactly how toxic is it?

1. It is has one-tenth the toxicity of aspirin.
2. It has one-fortieth the toxicity of nicotine.

You have to wonder why the FDA is focusing so much on the very minute traces of diethylene glycol found in one sample when clearly this is a very common ingredient many of us are ingesting regularly.

That’s not to say that diethylene glycol is totally harmless and we shouldn’t have any concerns about it. But when the FDA starts focusing on words like ‘diethylene glycol’ and ‘anti-freeze’ it sure does sound scary. However, a little bit of education on the facts puts it back in perspective doesn’t it? By the way, water is another ingredient found in anti-freeze!

The FDA tends to give the impression that they have regulatory control over nicotine. That is not always the case. They regulate smoking cessation products and claims. That’s why electronic cigarettes are marketed as a smoking alternative and not as a means to quit smoking.

Another “concern” expressed by the FDA is that electronic cigarettes target underage kids. Here is an FDA quote from one of their reports:

“These products are marketed and sold to young people and are readily available online and in shopping malls. They are also available in different flavors, such as chocolate and mint, which may appeal to young people”.

There is absolutely zero evidence that e-cigarettes target teenagers. Just the opposite… the marketing is focused on adults who already smoke and are searching for a healthier alternative they can use in their homes, cars, and public places. Look at any vaping stores website, and you will see a nicotine warning, as well as a notice stating you must be of legal smoking age to buy any of their products.

Oh, and here is some breaking news: Adults shop in malls, and enjoy a variety of flavor choices too! I personally have about 23 different flavors that just came in that I cant wait to test out. My favorites so far are Root Beer, Orange dream bar, one called Island, which is like a pina colloda type of tropical mixture, and banana nut bread. I am 48 – not a teen…

Besides, the initial cost of entry for a top of the line electronic cigarette is not practical for most teenagers.

I encourage you to do your own research of the electronic cigarette, to see if this is something that will benefit you. Look at all sides of the story and try to get unbiased information from both sides of the story. Right now the FDA appears to be biased against electronic smoking for some reason. Do they have a hidden agenda? Who knows… but I think I detect more than trace elements of BS in the FDA reports!

First, you have to want to get away from traditional cigarettes, or there is nothing out there short of death that will get you away from them. The cigarettes will help you along your way towards death for sure. That is a proven fact.

Possibly… it is really all up to you and your choice to vape instead of smoke.

They helped me, and they have helped others, but I know people that didn’t care for them, and went back to tobacco cigarettes. The companies who sell these devices are not legally in a position to tell you that they can help you quit smoking. The FDA has not approved electronic cigarettes as a reduced harm, or smoking cessation product, so they are not currently being sold as smoking cessation devices, but rather as a “smoking alternative“, that many people think is healthier, for people who want smoke in public places. So far, the research is showing this to be true. They have more than 4000 less toxic chemical components than a traditional cigarette. To me, that sounds like a better choice – point blank, hands down, or however you want to say it.

E-cigs are an alternative nicotine delivery system. Common sense would tell you, that they can be used as part of an overall smoking cessation program, much like the way nicotine gum, patches and inhalers are. However, these don’t make me itch like the patch does, or pull out my filling like that gum did. I get to choose from a huge variety of great tasting flavors, and now traditional cigarettes taste terrible to me. I personally enjoy my e cig much more than a regular, tobacco cigarette.

And here is an interesting fact about electronic cigarette nicotine cartridges: They come in several different nicotine levels – high, medium, low, and zero nicotine. Some stores or sites, let you pick your nic level, even if they are different than the average that they normally offer. These are places that make their own e-liquids that are able to make your custom order of nic and flavors. Conceivably, a person could slowly wean themselves from their nicotine addiction by progressively lowering their nicotine intake levels. Like I am doing at this time…successfully! And I don’t need research to tell me that what I am doing is or is not possible, because it is FACT.

It’s important to note that even a cartridge with a “high” nicotine level still delivers considerably less nicotine per inhale than a traditional cigarette. About 10% from what I have read. I started at 24 mil of nicotine, and now I am down to 10. It keeps getting lower, and I am actually feeling better. I know it is due to the reduced nicotine in my system, not to mention that my lungs have cleared up considerably. It looks like I have about 2 or 3 days left of the 10 mil, then I will be down to 8 mil. of nicotine. And the great thing, is that I can continue to lower it, until i am completely away from nicotine all together.

So how many smokers successfully quit using the electronic cigarette? I don’t have any idea, but there have been many that I have read about in the e-cig forums on line. It’s really too soon to say for sure, and no large organized studies have been performed to date, but they are working on it. Several smaller studies have been done that show promising results. However, if you were to go to the major “vaping” forums you will see many testimonials of people who have kicked the habit for good using these devices. Some of these success stories are from people who have smoked over a pack or two a day, for decades, just like me.

Until in-depth clinical studies are done, we are going to have to rely on testimonials, the smaller studies, and our own reasonable judgement. Do your research and educate yourself on the real facts. Then you will be equipped to make an intelligent adult decision, if this is something that can help you quit smoking. But remember, you have to be the one to make the choice and stick to it, or nothing, not even e-cigs, will help.

Here’s the bottom line: No device, even one as promising as the e-cigarette, is going to be a “silver bullet” that can make a smoker quit overnight. Successfully quitting forever, starts with a strong conviction to quit. If a you truly want to quit, then the electronic cigarette may be a very helpful tool in realizing that goal.

But let’s face it… many smokers DON”T want to quit! They just enjoy smoking too much. For this group, electronic smoking can be a much healthier alternative… hopefully one that will keep them alive a lot longer. And remember – you choose your nicotine level, so how you much choose is completely up to you. At least this way, you know you are not getting the 4000+ other things that you get with traditional tobacco cigarettes.

One thing I can say for sure, is that I now make sure any electronic cigarette liquid that I buy is made in the USA, so I know it is using USDA or FDA approved ingredients. Heck, a lot of it is “kosher”. It may not be 100% safe, but it makes me feel safer to know I am not using industrial chemicals, instead of food grade, or pharmaceutical grade products. From what I have found, most of the USA e liquid companies are very concerned about their manufacturing process and supplies. Most are regulating themselves, since there is no federal guidelines in place yet, so they can make sure their products are as safe for their customers as they can be, and have taken a stand to not sell to minors. And again, that is all without federal mandate.

Now days, Electronic cigarettes are being marketed as a “safer alternative” to smoking tobacco cigarettes.

But just how safe are e-cigarettes?

Are there any health risks with an e-cig?

Let’s examine electronic cigarette vaping, and compare it to smoking a real, traditional tobacco cigarette, so you can make an intelligent, and informed decision, if this might be a wise smoking alternative for you, or a loved one.

The most harmful aspect of smoking cigarettes is the 4,000+, toxic chemicals that are inhaled when you burn a traditional tobacco cigarette. It’s the actual smoke causing lung cancer and respiratory disease, not the nicotine. With vaping electronic cigarettes, none of these 4,000+ toxic chemicals are produced because, there is no smoke, and there is nothing actually burning at all. With no smoke, it means no tar, no carbon monoxide, etc. The vapors produced have only a few ingredients, not all the additives that big tobacco put into their cigarettes to ad flavor or addiction… As a person with preparatory problems, I can feel a huge difference, now that I have been vaping with e cigs, instead of cigarettes. And I could feel this happen after about a week, and it keeps getting better.

But what about the nicotine?

E-cigarettes still deliver nicotine. Well, most of them do, but you can also keep vaping with no nicotine if you enjoy vaping, if you can ween yourself off the nicotine over time, like am in doing. Start at a comfortable level, and lower it every couple of times you buy more e liquid. Over time, if you choose, and try, you can cut your addiction to nicotine, if you have the will power and desire to do so.

How dangerous is that?

More independent studies on the effects of nicotine by itself need to be done. Right now the health risks are still inconclusive. Nevertheless, it’s obvious that a method of delivering nicotine that doesn’t involve real smoke is going to be much safer than burning tobacco. There are studies that prove that. And that is how the patch and gums are allowed.

The FDA recently reported that traces of carcinogens where found in a sample of electronic cigarette nicotine liquid.

However, these same carcinogens are also found in nicotine delivery alternatives like the patch and gum (which are both approved by the FDA). Also keep in mind that many every day foods like peanut butter contain trace levels of carcinogens. This is not to say that we should not be concerned about it. Just keep it in perspective. It’s important to remember that the dose of a particular carcinogen is an important factor in how toxic it actually is. If carcinogens are present in e-cigarette vapor, it doesn’t not appear to be in high doses. Right now there is no evidence that these carcinogens are are even translated into the actual electronic cigarette vapor that is inhaled. Oh, and that was just one of the samples they tested. That one was made in China, and they did not find it in any of the others tested, from China and the USA manufacturers. Just one cartridge…

Are electronic cigarettes totally safe?

Honestly,,, breathing our air is not totally 100% safe. More studies are needed on electronic cigarettes and vaping. So, until more studies are done it’s probably a good idea to err on the side of caution, and assume that they are not 100% safe. However, if you compare it to smoking a traditional tobacco cigarette, there really is no comparison.

One thing we know for sure is that tobacco smoking is incredibly dangerous, expensive, and inconvenient now days. The e-cigarette give smokers an alternative that appears to be much safer and will probably save countless lives. Given a choice between the two? I think it’s positively, a no brainer…

Electronic cigarettes, e-cigs, vaping, personal vaporizers… what are the benefits?

Electronic smoking, or vaping, as it is called, is quickly rising in popularity & is changing the people smoke forever. Are you one of the people wondering how, or if, this is something that can benefit you or a loved one? Let’s look at some of the many benefits of the electronic cigarette, as a smarter, sensible and healthier alternative to tobacco cigarette smoking.

Some Great Benefits of an Electronic Cigarette:

1. A clear choice, is Health. The most harmful aspect of smoking tobacco cigarettes is the actual smoke and the tar, carcinogens and other chemicals that are inhaled into the lungs. We are always hearing the warnings of what that tar is doing to the lungs of smokers. With an e-cigarette nothing is lit, so there is no smoke, tar, or carcinogens. The nicotine and flavor is vaporized into a mist that looks and feels like smoke, but isn’t smoke. This is clearly a much healthier alternative.

2. The Cost. The cost of the e-liquid cartridges is where you really save a lot of money. An electronic cigarette nicotine cartridge is about the equivalent of 1 – 1.5 packs of tobacco cigarettes. A package of 5 cartridges will cost you around $10. This comes out to about $1.5-$2 per pack… this is a huge savings! And for advanced vapors that have refillable cartomizers, or clearomizers, the savings is many times greater.

3. How about the Convenience. You can smoke an e-cigarette anywhere because there is no smoke being emitted. You may get some funny looks if you suddenly start “vaping” in a restaurant or bar, so you may want to get permission from management first. But technically you can do this in any public area because there is no second-hand smoke to be concerned with. However, check your local area, because many places will not allow it, due to the lack of research done so far.

4. Great Smell. There is no lingering odor, so no more worrying about stinky breath, hair, clothes, hands, etc. The room will not fill with smoke either, so you won’t be offending anyone with second hand smoke, and no one can complain about the smell. Heck, most flavors that have a smell, smell great, like blueberry, banana, or many of the fruit flavors.

5. You get some peace of mind. It is true, you’re still absorbing nicotine, but at least you’re avoiding the the incredibly dangerous smoke and 4,000+ toxic chemicals associated with tobacco cigarettes. Not to mention, that non smokers will not smell you from 5 feet away, like they can with regular tobacco cigarettes. You will get the peace of mind, knowing that you’re choosing a healthier alternative.

A lot of people wonder if electronic vaping can help a person quit smoking altogether. There have not been enough clinical studies to prove this one way or another so this is still a debatable subject. However, other nicotine delivery alternatives like gum, patches, etc., are commonly used as a part of many stop-smoking approaches. Common sense would suggest that the electronic cigarette has the potential to do the same. And with the ability to choose your nicotine level, you can cut down on your own pace, with the added hand to mouth action that many smokers are so used to.

Oh, and if you slip up and have a regular cigarette, it isn’t going to have the same danger as smoking with a patch on, because a patch feeds nicotine, even up to an hour after removing it, while an e-cig delivers it on the spot, like a traditional tobacco cigarette. If it were for nothing else, that alone makes it safer than a patch for people trying to quit smoking. But I am sure the pharmaceutical companies are going to say otherwise, so they can keep pushing their products.

Just saying… It just seems that the people lobbying against the e-cigarette are the people that stand to loose money from them being around, like big tobacco companies, and large pharmaceutical companies that make the patches and gums.

All I know for sure, is that using electronic cigarettes has helped me stay away from real cigarettes, and I hardly ever feel any of what I guess you would call craving for a regular cigarette. I have so many flavors to choose from that taste and smell great too. So I know that helps. Not to mention, that I know I am getting a whole lot less nicotine, and over time, I am lowering it more and more. Eventually, I am sure will make it down to 0 nicotine by mid to end of this summer. (2013) I will keep you posted in my blogs.